A "Lowly" Carpenter

 Just the introduction to Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde, had me meditating on Saint Joseph.  From the beginning, the pope refers to Joseph as a "lowly" carpenter.  I have often wondered why.  Carpenters aren't lowly, far from it.  They have needed skills. I bet Joseph always found work, no matter where he lived.  Everyone has needs that only a carpenter can fill.  I have never read anywhere that Jesus went hungry, His needs were met.  

Carpenters today need to follow blueprints, building plans, licensing or permit codes.  Would a person with low cognitive skills be able to do that?  Why "lowly" carpenter?  Joseph may not have had to follow blueprints or follow municipal building codes, but he certainly had to be able to visualize the project, design, and layout. I call these attributes critical thinking.  Why "lowly" carpenter?

Carpenters install structures and fixtures.  I can't do that.  Can you?  A carpenter would be able to solve those problems.  Why "lowly" carpenter?

Carpenters measure, cut, and shape wood and other materials.  Again would a person of low cognitive intelligence be able to measure and cut accurately?  So why consider a carpenter "lowly?"

Carpenters build frameworks, including walls, floors, rooves, etc.  I imagine in Joseph's day they made tables and whatever else was needed.  Do you think the people thought that those with carpenter skills were "lowly"?

And finally, carpenters repair structures.  There's always a need for that, especially in Jesus' time before they had duct tape.  Carpenters need to be strong, have manual dexterity, and don't forget communication skills.

Why in the world, would anyone consider a carpenter, "lowly"?

Pope Francis, you should know better than that.

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When Jesus Calls the Unqualified

Today is the feast of St. Joseph.  While reading a sermon by St. Bernadine of Siena about St. Joseph, he states: "Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand."

But that does not mean God necessarily increases the chosen person with a higher IQ, or gives them a musical talent.  He gives them what is needed to fulfill the task that is needed.  Think about it.

Moses still was a stutterer.  David was still the youngest in his family and a boy.  Peter was still impetuous.  Paul constantly had to struggle to assert his worth and authority.  They were not qualified, yet God used them and their faults to turn bad into good.

And today, on the feast of St. Joseph, God chose Joseph to be the foster father of His Son, not a king but rather a poor laborer.  God's ways are not our ways.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

St. Joseph: a Model for Lay Dominicans

St. Joseph: a model for the lay Dominicans Ms. Ruth Henderson, O.P. goes for the strong silent type. She is an admirer of Saint Joseph.

Who wouldn't be? Joseph is quiet. We only hear of him twice: re: Mary's pregnancy and birth, and when Jesus was lost at 12 years old. Both times, it's Mary who dominates the scenes. Yet, he seems to have quietly provided for his little family and brought up a Son, Who turned out pretty well.

"He was a lay person who made his own invaluable contribution to the life of the most important child in history, and thus to the life of all humanity. What a wonderful model for us lay Dominicans as we prepare for Christmas!"

Lay Dominicans live in the world, like Joseph. We strive to adhere to our religious and moral and civic duties, like Joseph. We could find no better person to emulate, than Joseph.